Transformer lifting device



Nov. 20, 1934. D. G. SMEAD 1,981,756

TRANSFORMER LIFTING DEVICE Filed Dec. 26, 1953 Patented Nov. 20, 1934 UNlTED STATES PATENT OFFICE A 1 Claim.

The present invention relates to improvements in article handling devices and in particular to a lifting device especially designed for handling transformers.

5 It may be noted here that heretofore transformers have been constructed of cast iron with two eye-bolts by a means of which the covers were held in place and these eye-bolts afforded readily engaging means to receive chain hooks when it M was desired to lift the transformer to position. The present. type of transformer, however, is made of pressed steel and provided with thumb nuts as a substitution for the eye-bolts of the former transformers and by virtue of the fact that the particular construction is not as strong as that of the former type it cannot be handled in the same way.

With this in view, the object of the present invention is to provide a simple device which may be so engaged with the new form of transformer as to facilitate the lifting and lowering operations and insure the necessary care and security in handling these articles.

Other and further objects and advantages of 23 the invention will be hereinafter set forth and the novel features thereof defined by the appended claim.

In the drawing:- Fig. l is a side elevation of a device constructed 31) in accordance with this invention;

Fig. 2 is an end View thereof looking in the direction of the arrow designated A in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a detailed elevation of one of the liftengaging links or loops designated 1 connected by a flexible link chain 2. It will be observed that each of the links 1 in general configuration is oblong, the lower end being bent laterally as shown at 1 and the other end 1 being bent and constricted to form a narrow link receiving throat 1, the purpose of which is hereinafter more fully pointed out. Since the loop members 1 are closed elements, the end links of the adjustable chain 2 are preferably permanently connected in said members but free to slide from one end to the other. The dimensions of the chain and loop members may be varied so as to take care of transformers of different sizes.

In the use of the device, referring to Fig. 4, the elements 1 are engaged with the respective ears 4 of the transformer 3, the sides of the loops snugly engaging the sides of said ears with which they conform and the laterally bent ends 1 interengaging in the recessed bottoms 4 of said ears.

In this manner the loops stand erect. The slack in the flexible chain 20 is now taken up from one side and one of the intermediate links of the chain is slipped sidewise into the throat 1 of the loop at the other side, the free end, so-called, of the chain 2 being allowed to slide down the connecting loop, as shown clearly in Fig.4. A substantially rigid bail is thus provided with which the hoisting apparatus may be engaged when it is desired to lift or lower the transformer to or from position. By virtue of this simple device the operation of handling the transformer is quickly and securely performed.

While the specific details of construction have been herein shown and described, the invention is not confined thereto as alterations may be made without departing from the spirit thereof as defined by the appended claim.

Having thus described my invention what I 0 claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

A lifting device for handling transformers or the. like comprising a pair of elongated loops adapted for snug engagement with the ears of 35 the transformer, the ends of each of said loops being bent laterally, and one of said ends being constricted to form a link receiving throat, and a connecting chain having its end links slidably engaging said loops while the intermediate links are receivable in the throats .of said loops to adjust the length of the connection therebetween.

DONALDG. SMEAD. 

